Well packer



Aug. 27, 1963 H. H. FISHER, JR., ETAL 3,101, 83

WELL PACKER Filed Oct. 28, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 1 6, 13 F'r a. 1a,

17 Me /w J91 1 /21/52, :12.

up EE/ run /v INVENTORS.

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Aug. 27, 1963 H. H. FISHER, JR.. ETAL WELL. PACKER 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 28. 1960 MQA'IM I]. E si/E1? ziuL/n/v 1). K51 nmmv INVENTORS.

1963 H. H. FISHER, JR.. ETAL 3,101,783

WELL PACKER 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 2B, 1960 INVENTORS flrromvsys- United States Patent Ofitice 3,101,783 Patented Aug. 27, 1963 3,101,783 WELL PACKER Hiram H. Fisher, Jr., and Julian D. Keitliahn, Houston, Tex., assignors to Baker Gil Tools, Ina, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 28, 1960, Ser. No. 65,680 14 Claims. (Cl. 166-430) The present invention relates to subsurface well devices, and more particularly to well packers adapted to be run and set in well bores.

An object of the invention is to provide a well packer having a normally retracted expandible and retractable packing element or structure, which is prevented from inadvertently expanding outwardly during lowering of the well packet in the bore hole.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well packer having a normally retracted expandible and retractable packing element or structure, which is prevented from inadvertently expanding outwardly during elevating of the well packer in the bore hole, as in removing the well packer from the bore hole.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well packer having a normally retracted expnndible and retractable packing element or structure, which is prevented from expanding outwardly after the Well packer has been lowered in the bore hole, while fluid is being circulated through and around the packer prior to its setting in the bore hole or after the packer has been set and then released.

An additional object of the invention is to provide subsurface well apparatus, in which operation of the apparatus is determined by an improved control or releasable lock mechanism, which possesses a relatively small number of parts, and which can be placed readily in a locked or released condition by manipulation of a runningin string by which the apparatus is lowered in a bore hole.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES 1 and la together constitute a combined longitudinal section and side elevational view of a well packer apparatus located in a well casing disposed in a well bore, FIG. 1a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2 and 2a are views corresponding to FXGS. 1 and la illustrating the packer anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing, FIG. 2a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 3 and 3a are views corresponding to FIGS. 1 and 1a, illustrating the packer following its release and during its elevation in the well casing, FIG. 3a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view taken along the lines 4-4 on FIG. 2a.

A well packer apparatus A is illustrated in the drawings, which is adapted to be lowered in a well casing B, or similar conduit string, by means of a tubular runningin string C extending to the top of the hole. The well. packer includes a central body or mandrel 10 having an upper body sub 11 threadedly connected to the main portion of the body, this sub having an upward threaded box 12 for threaded attachment to the lower pin end 13 of the tubular running-in string C. The lower end of the body is constituted as a lower sub 14 threadedly secured to the lower end of the main portion of the body, this lower sub having a threaded pin 15 for threaded attachment of the body to the upper threaded box 16 of a depending tubular member 17, which can extend downwardly in the well casing to a desired extent, or which may, if desired, be omitted.

A normally retracted packing device 18 surrounds the tubular body 10 and includes an inner support sleeve 19 spaced laterally from the body to provide an annular passage 20 therebetween through which fluid can pass. Surrounding the support sleeve 19 is a packing structure 21, such as one or a plurality of rubber-like packing rings or members, which are normally retracted. The upper end of the packing structure is adapted to engage an upper abutment 22 threadcdly attached to the upper end of the support sleeve 19, whereas the lower end of the packing structure is engageable with a lower abutment comprising an abutment ring 23 slidable on the support sleeve 19 and an abutment sleeve 24 threadedly connected to the ring 23, the abutment sleeve being integral with a lower expander 25, of generally frustoconical shape, adapted to coact with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lower slips 26 for anchoring the apparatus in the well casing. When the packing structure 18 is in retracted position, the lower abutment 23, 24 may engage an external lower flange 27 on the support sleeve 19. The support sleeve 19 and the sleeve portion 24 may be non-rotatably secured to one another, while permitting their relative telescopic movement, by securing a key 28 on the flange portion of the sup-port sleeve which is slidable in a longitudinal keyway or slot 29 in the interior of the sleeve 24.

Fluid can pass through the annular space 30 surrounding the apparatus and the expander 25, flowing inwardly through a plurality of circutnferentially spaced ports or openings 31 in the sleeve portion 24 to its interior, and then flowing upwardly through the annular passage 20 between the sleeve portion and body 10 and between the sup-port sleeve 19 and body, discharging through a valve seat 32 in the upper abutment 22 into the annulus 33 around the body 10 and the tubular string C. Of course, fluid could also pass in a reverse direction to that just described. When the tubular string C and body 10 are lowered relative to the members surrounding the body, a valve head 34 at the lower portion of the upper body sub 11 is movable downwardly into engagement with the valve seat 32 to close the annular passage 20 around the body. To prevent leakage between the valve head and seat, a suitable seal ring or gasket 35 may be provided in the seat for engagement with the exterior of the valve head 34.

A connector sleeve 36 is slidably mounted on the exterior of the body 10 of the tool, its upper portion extending within the expander 25. The connector sleeve terminates in an upper stop or flange 37 that projects outwardly and is adapted to engage an upwardly facing shoulder 38 on the sleeve portion 34. The lower end 39 of the connector sleeve may rest upon the upper end or stop portion 40 of the lower sub 14. Surrounding the connector sleeve 36 is a slip sleeve 41 slidable thereon, and having a plurality of longitudinal extending circumferentially spaced grooves 42 in which the slips 26 are laterally removable. These slips each include a lower drag portion 43 adapted to frictionally engage the inner wall of the well casing B, being urged outwardly thereagainst by one or a plurality of compression springs 44 engaging the bases of the grooves 42 and the drag portions of the slips. The slips include upper anchor portions 45 having downwardly facing wickers or teeth 46 adapted to engage and embed themselves in the wall of the well casing to prevent downward movement of the slips 26 therealong when expanded outwardly by the expander 25.

The expander 25 has a downward and inwardly inclined tapered surface 47 adapted to coact with corn panion inner tapered surfaces 48 on the anchor portions 45 of the slips. Outward expansion of the slips 26 under the influence of the springs 44 is limited by a retainer ring 49 encompassing the central portions of the slips and received within external grooves 50 therewithin. Outward movement is also limited by engagement of lower terminals 51 of the slips, below the drag portions, with an upper rim 52 of a stop and control sleeve or member 53 surrounding the body 10 of the tool and releasably connected thereto by a lock device 54. The stop and control member or sleeve 53 and the slip sleeve 41 are secured together by a plurality of longitudinally extended screws 55 so that they move as a unit. When the stop and control member 53, slip sleeve 41, and slips 26 are disposed in a lower position on the body 10, such as illustrated in FIG. 10, an upper inner flange 56 on the stop and control member is engageable with a split snap ring 57 mounted in a peripheral groove 58in the connector sleeve 36 to limit the upward position of the connector sleeve 36 relative to the stop and control member 53, as well as relative to the slip sleeve 41. This snap ring 57 has a lower beveled corner 59 inclined in a downward and inward direction and an upper beveled corner 60 inclined in an upward and inward direction. Such beveling is obtained in order that a laterally movable control pin 61 slidable radially in the companion bore 62 in the control member 53 can ride over the snap ring 57 during operation of the apparatus.

The slips 26 are prevented from having substantial longitudinal movement relative to the slip sleeve 41 by engagement of the lower ends 51 of the slips with the upper end of the control member 53 and also by engagement of the retainer ring 49 with an upper external flange 63 of the slip sleeve. When the slip sleeve 41 is moved downwardly, its upper flange 63 engages the retainer ring 49, which engages the lower sides of the slip grooves 50 to pull the slips 26 downwardly in the well casing. When the slip sleeve 41 and the control member 53 are moved upwardly, the upper end of the control member engages the lower ends 51 of the slips 26 to shift them upwardly along the wall of the well casing. The slips themselves are of the rocker type, in that the anchor portions 45 are removed from engagement with the wall of the well casing when the springs 44 are permitted to force the drag portions 43 into full contact with the wall of the well casing. However, when the expander 25 moves downwardly within and behind the anchor portions 45 of the slips, the latter will rock outwardly about the upper parts of the drag portions as a fulcrum on the casing to shift the teeth 46 outwardly against the well casing B and embed them therewithin.

'Ilhe packer body 10 moves downwardly with respect to the parts that surround it in order to engage the valve head 34 with the valve seat 32, to expand the packing structure 18 against the wall of the well casing B, and to engage the expander 25 with the anchor portions 45 of the slips and expand the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. The ability of the body 10 of the tool to move in the manner just described is dependent upon the control mechanism 54 provided between the slip mounting portion of the apparatus and the body of the tool.

As specifically disclosed, the laterally or radially shiftable control pin 61 has its inner portion yieldably dis posed within a control slot or groove 67 in the periphery of the lower body sub 14 by a leaf spring 68 engaging the outer end of the control pin and secured to the control member 53 in any suitable manner, as by means of a screw 69. The control slot or groove 67 includes a circumferential groove portion 70 terminating at one end in a stop segment 71 that extends between an upper stop flange 72 of the sub and the lower side 73 of the circumferential groove, being secured thereto, as by welding material 74. Another segment 75 is suitably secured to the sub 14, as by welding, and this segment is spaced arcuately from the stop segment 71 to provide a longitudinal inclined slot 76 communicating with an extension of the slot or opening 77 through the stop flange 72 that extends completely through such stop flange, The lower end 78 of the segment 75 terminates above the lower side 73 of the circumferential groove to provide for communication 67a between the circumferential groove portion 70 and the longitudinal inclined slot or groove portion 76, permitting the control pin 61 to pass from one portion into the other portion. It is to be noted that the segments 71, 75 are so disposed that the longitudinal slot portion 76 defined therebetwcen is preferably inclined in an upward direction toward the right, as seen in FIG. 4.

The packer apparatus A can only be set in the well casing B upon removal of the control pin 61 from the circumferential groove portion 70. Movement of the control pin 61 and of the outer control mechanism surrounding the body 10 of the tool and the connector sleeve 36, as well as movement of the slips 26, is resisted or prevented by the frictional engagement of the drag portions 43 of the slips against the wall of the well casing. As a result, the tubular string C and the body 10 of the tool can be moved upwardly to insure that the control pin 61 is in the lower portion of the circumferential groove 70, which location can be provided without imposing a load on the control pin by causing the upwardly facing shoulder 40 on the lower body sub 14 to engage the lower end 39 of the connector sleeve 36, such as shown in FIG. In. With this condition pertaining, the tubing string C and body 10 are rotated to the right, which will turn the lower body member 14 within the control pin until the latter passes relatively through the communicating passage 67a between the circumferential groove portion 70 and the inclined groove or slot portion 76 and engages the inclined wall 80 of the stop segment 71. The body 10 of the tool can now be lowered, the control pin 61 passing relatively upwardly through the inclined slot portion 76 and through the opening 77 in the flange 72 to a position thereabove. The control pin 61 actually does not move longitudinally, but the body 10, 14 and its groove 76 lower with respect thereto, the downward movement of the control pin being resisted by the friction drag portions 43 of the slips 26. Downward movement of the body 10 can now continue to effect setting of the tool. The control pin 61 may engage the lower end 59 of the snap ring 57 and will, at first, prevent downward movement of the connector sleeve 36 with the body of the tool. However, upon engagement of the lower flange 27 on the support sleeve 19 with the upper end 37 of the connector sleeve, the snap ring 57 will force the control pin 61 outwardly so that the latter can. in effect, ride over the snap ring to a position thereabove. and thereby enable the setting of the well packer A to be completed. After the control pin 61 rides reliu the elevated position disclosed in FIG. 1.

atively past the snap ring, the connector sleeve 36 may drop downwardly until its upper stop flange 37 again engages the expander shoulder 38.

The apparatus A is run in the well casing with the control pin 61 in the locking or circumferential groove portion 70, the parts being in the position disclosed in FIGS. 1 and 1a. During the lowering action, the upper side of the groove 70 will engage the pin 61 and result in pulling of the slip mechanism downwardly within the well casing and along the casing wall. The inner flange 56 of the control member engages the snap ring 57 and insures the downward pulling of the connector sleeve 36 with the body and the control member 53. The contact of the stop flange 37 with the shoulder 38 insures downward movement of the expander and the sleeve portion 24, which will cause the lower abutment ring 23 to engage the flange 27 of the support sleeve 19 and pull the latter downwardly in the well casing with it. At this time, the rubber or rubber-like or pliant, elastic structure 21 is in its retracted position, since the lower abutment ring 23 is disposed downwardly to its maximum extent with respect to the upper abutment 22. Moreover, the upper abutment 22 is precluded from moving relatively upwardly along the body of the tool to prevent engagement of the valve head 34 with the valve seat 32, thereby insuring that the annular passage 20 remains open. During such lowering movement, fluid in the well casing or well bore can pass upwardly through the tubular body member 19 and into the tubular string C thereabove. It can also pass relatively around the exterior of the lower portion of the apparatus and then through the ports 31 to the interior of the sleeve 24, then continuing upwardly through the annular passage 20 and through the valve seat 32 into the annulus 33 between the tubular string C and casing B above the well packer apparatus. Fluid will also flow relatively around the outside of the packing structure 18 itself. The resistance or force offered by such fluid -cannot expand the packing structure since the lower abutment ring 23 is prevented from moving upwardly along ithe support sleeve 19, by virtue of the fact that it is tied to the body it] through the abutment and connector sleeves 24, 36, the control member 53 and control pin 61. The friction of the fluid flowing relatively past the exterior of the packing structure 18 and its upper abutment 22, as well as interiorly of the support sleeve 19, tends to maintain the support sleeve and upper abutment As the result of the construction described, the packing struc- 18 cannot inadvertently expand into engagement with the well casing B during lowering of the apparatus .Aithrough the fluid therewithin.

. After the setting location of the well packer A in the casing has been reached, the tool is lowered a short additional distance in the well casing and is then elevated so that the body 10 of the tool is moved upwardly with respect to the control member 53 and pin 61, the control pin then being disposed adjacent to the lower side 73' of the circumferential groove 70. The tubular running-in string C and body 10 are now turned to the fight to rotate the body sub 14 and its groove 67 relative int-the pin, whereby the pin 61 passes relatively into lower end of the inclined slot portion 76. Therethe tubular string C and body 10 of the tool are lowered. Downward movement of the body 10 of the tool can continue relative to the control member 53 and itepin 61, since the latter then passes relatively upwardly through the entire inclined slot portion 76, 77 top. position above the upper stop flange 72 of the stib"14. As described above, downward movement of the" control member and pin is resisted by the drag portions 43 of the slips 26.

Downward movement of the body 10 now continues, the, valve head 34 moving downwardly into engagement with the valve seat 32 to close the passage 29, the down- Ward movement of the body then moving the upper abutment 22 and support sleeve 19, the packing structure 18 and the lower abutment ring 23 downwardly, to shift the sleeve portion 24 and the expander 25 downwardly with the body, accompanied by the connector sleeve 36. The expander 25 moves down toward the slips 26, which are prevented from moving downwardly by the engagement of their drag portions 43 with the wall of the well casing. The connector sleeve moves downwardly with the expander 25 and the body 10, and within the slip structure, vthe snap ring 57 camming the control pin 61 out of the way and allowing the snap ring to move past the control pin, which will now slide upon the periphery of the connector sleeve. The downward movement of the body 10 and the parts surrounding it, with the exception of the slip structure 41, 26, 44, 49, 53 surrounding the connector sleeve 36, will now continue until the expander 25 moves within and behind the anchor portions 45 of the slips, shifting the latter outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well casing. When this occurs, the expander 25 cannot move downwardly any further. Accordingly, continued downward movement of the body It of the tool causes the upper abutment 22 to move toward the lower abutment ring 23, which is prevented from moving downwardly by being connected to the expander 25, compressing or shortening the packing structure 18 and expanding it outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing. The parts are now in the condition illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 2a.

A suitable operation can now be performed with the set packer A. Following the completion of the operation, the tool can be released from the well casing and removed therefrom, if desired. Such release occurs simply as the result of elevating the tubing string C and body 10 in the casing. At first, the body 10 will move upwardly to disengage the valve head 34 from its companion valve seat 32, again opening the annular passage 20 to permit flow of fluid therethrough. During the initial phase of upward movement of the body 10, the upper end 40 of the body sub 14 will engage the lower end 39 of the connector sleeve 36 to carry the latter upwardly with the body until its upper end 37 engages the lower end of the support sleeve 19, whereupon the support sleeve is shifted upwardly with the body 10 to move the upper abutment 22 away from the lower abutment ring 23, which will permit the packing structure 18 to retract to its initial position. The support sleeve 19 moves upwardly with the. body It) and the connector sleeve 36 until its lower flange 27 engages the lower abutment ring 23, which will then elevate the sleeve portion 24 and the expander 25 from the anchor portions 45 of the slips 26, allowing the springs 44 to rock the drag portions 43 of the slips back into full surface contact with the wall of the well casing, and pivot the anchor portions 45 inwardly from engagement with the wall of the well casing. The expander 25 can move upwardly of the slips 26 until the control member 53 engages an upwardly facing shoulder on the lower body sub, or its flange 56 engages the snap ring 57. The control pin 61 itself moves automatically into its locked circumferential groove portion 70, inasmuch as it will merely ride upon the upper beveled end 60 of the snap ring and past the ring, then engaging the cam or inclined end 72a of the body sub to ride past the flange 72 and back into the circumferential groove portion. The control pin 61 can shift outwardly against the force of the leaf spring 68, which will shift it inwardly into the groove 70 after it rides past the stop flange 72.

The parts are now in the position they occupy during elevation of the apparatus in the well casing, which is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 3a. During such elevating movement through the fluid in the well easing, the resistance of such fluid cannot inadvertently expand the packing structure 18 against the wall of the well casing, since the fluid force is prevented from acting on and moving the upper abutment 22 relatively downwardly toward the lower abutment ring 23, which would effect a shortening of the packing structure 18 and its outward expansion. The downward force imposed by the fluid on the upper abutment and the sleeve 19 is not transmitted to the packing elements 21 at all, but instead is bypassed completely to the connector sleeve 36, the lower end of which is in engagement with the body shoulder 4-0. In other words, the downward force is transmitted directly to the body 10 without being imposed on the packing elements 21. During upward movement of the apparatus A in the well casing B, the fluid passing through the annular passage 20 and also around the packing structure 18 does not tend to move the lower abutment ring 23 upwardly toward the upper abutment 22, but, instead, actually tends to hold the lower abutment 23, 24 in its downward position, in which the packing sleeves 21 are fully retracted. The apparatus can be elevated in the well casing and removed entirely therefrom at the top of the hole.

From the foregoing description, it is evident that the packing structure 18 is prevented from inadvertently expanding during lowering of the apparatus through the fluid in the well casing, and also during its elevation through such fluid. The packing structure is also prevented from inadvertently expanding out against the well casing B rior to its purposeful setting and in the event that fluid is being circulated through the apparatus. Assuming that conditioning or circulating fluid is pumped down through the tubular string C, it will pass downwardly through the body and out through its lower end or the lower end of the tubing extension 17 secured thereto. At this time, the parts are in the position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and la, the fluid passing upwardly around the lower extension 17, the body 10, and the slip structure 26, flowing upwardly and through the ports 31 in the sleeve 24 and through the annular passage 20 into the annulus 33 between the tubular string C and casing B above the apparatus A. The control member 53 is locked to the body 10 by means of the engagement of the control pin 61 with the upper stop flange 72, and the connector sleeve 36 is prevented from moving upwardly by virtue of engagernent of the inner flange 52 on the control member with the snap ring 57. Any tendency for the upwardly moving fluid to shift the upper abutment 22 upwardly is prevented by the fact that the shoulder 38 on the sleeve 24 engages the stop flange 37 at the upper end of the connector sleeve 36. As a result, the circulating fluid can do not more than tend to move the support sleeve 19 and upper abutment 22 upwardly away from the lower abut ment ring 23, the parts retaining the position illustrated in FIG. 1, in which the packing elements 21 cannot expand outwardly against the Well casing. Accordingly, the circulation of fluid can occur through the full area provided around the tool which is the area between the retracted packing structure 18 and the wall of the well casing and the area of the annular passage 20.

The control mechanism 54 is simple in construction and easy to operate. it is only necessary to turn the tubular string C and body 10 of the apparatus to the right to unlock or release the mechanism 54. It is unnecessary to impose any torque on the tubular string and body of the tool when the parts are to be relocked, to hold the normally retracted packing structure 18 and the normally retracted slips 26 in their respective retracted positions.

We claim:

1. in well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced first and second abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve around said body and secured to said first abutment and slidable along said second abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments', means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; and means operatively associated with said sleeve and body and movable by said body for shifting said sleeve in a direction to maintain said first abutment away from said second abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted position.

2. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced first and second abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve around said body and secured to said first abutment and slidable along said second abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; and means operatively associated with and movable by said body and operatively connected to said second abutment to urge said second abutment in a direction away from said first abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted position; said means movable by said body also being engageable with said support sleeve to shift said sleeve and maintain said first abutment away from said second abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted position.

3. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced first and second abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve around said body and secured to said first abutment and slidable along said second abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting move ment of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; and actuating means operatively associated with said body and sleeve and movable by said body in one longitudinal direction to shift said sleeve in said one direction to maintain said first abutment away from said second abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted position; said actuating means being movable by said body in the opposite longitudinal direction and operatively connected to said second abutment to urge said second abutment in said opposite direction and away from said first abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted condition.

4. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced first and second abutments stirrounding said body; a support sleeve around said body and secured to said first abutment and slidable along said second abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; a connector sleeve operatively associated with said support sleeve surrounding said body and movable by said body in one direction to shift said support sleeve in the same direction and maintain said first abutment in a direction away from said second abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted condition; and means operatively connecting said connector sleeve to said body.

5. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced first and second abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve around said body and secured to said first abutment and slidable along said second abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; a connector sleeve surrounding said body and operatively connected to second abutment and movable by said body to urge said second abutment in a direction away from said first abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted condition; and means operatively connecting said connector sleeve to said body.

6. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced first and second abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve around said body and secured to said first abutment and slidable along said second abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutmertts; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; a connector sleeve operatively associated with said support sleeve surrounding said body and movable by said body in one direction to shift said support sleeve in the same direction and maintain said first abutment in a direction away from said second abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted condition; and means operatively connecting said connector sleeve to said body; said conector sleeve being operatively connected to said second abutment and movable by said body into engagement with said second abutment to urge said second abutment in a direction away from said first abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted condition.

7. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced first and second abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve around said body and secured to said first abutment and slidable along said second abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; a connector sleeve operatively associated with and surrounding said body and movable by said body into engagement with said support sleeve to maintain said first abutment in a direction away from said second abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted condition.

8. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced upper and lower abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve secured to said upper abutment and slidable in said lower abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; a connector sleeve surrounding said body and movable upwardly by said body against said support sleeve to urge said upper abutment upwardly away from said lower abutment and retain said packing means in its retracted condition; and means connecting said connector sleeve to said body.

9. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced upper and lower abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve secured to said upper abutment and slidable in said lower abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for effecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; a connector sleeve surrounding said body and movable downwardly by said body into engagement with said lower abutment to urge said lower abutment downwardly away from said upper abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted condition; and means connecting said connector sleeve to said body.

10. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; longitudinally spaced upper and lower abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve secured to said upper abutment and slidable in said lower abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; means on said body engageable with one of said abutments for eifecting movement of said abutments toward each other to expand said packing means outwardly; a connector sleeve surrounding said body and movable upwardly by said body against said support sleeve to urge said upper abutment upwardly away from said lower abutment and retain said packing means in its retracted condition; said connector sleeve having means thereon engageable with said lower abutment, whereby downward movement of said body moves said connector sleeve and lower abutment downwardly and urges said lower abutment downwardly away from said upper abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted condition; and means connecting said connector sleeve to said body.

11. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; laterally spaced upper and lower abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve secured to said upper abutment and slidable in said lower abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; an expander secured to said lower abutment; normally retracted slip means engageable by said expander to be expanded outwardly; means releasably locking said slip means to said body; a connector sleeve operatively associated with, surrounding and movable by said body and slidable relatively in said slip means; means on said body for moving said expander downwardly into engagement with said slip means to expand the same and for moving said upper abutment toward said lower abutment to expand said packing means; said connector sleeve being engageable with said support sleeve upon upward movement of said body to urge said upper abutment away from said lower abutment and retain said packing means in its retracted condition.

12. In well packer apparatus to be set in a well bore: a body; laterally spaced upper and lower abutments surrounding said body; a support sleeve secured to said upper abutment and slidable in said lower abutment; normally retracted packing means on said sleeve between said abutments; an expander secured to said lower abutment; normally retracted slip means engageable by said expander to be expanded outwardly; means releasably locking said slip means to said body; a connector sleeve operatively associated with, surrounding and movable by said body and slidable relatively in said slip means; means on said body for moving said expander downwardly into engagement with said slip means to expand the same and for moving said upper abutment toward said lower abutment to expand said packing means; said connector sleeve being engageable with said support sleeve upon upward movement of said body to urge said upper abutment away from said lower abutment and retain said packing means in its retracted condition; said connector sleeve having means thereon engageable with said expander upon downward movement of said body to urge said lower abutment downwardly away from said upper abutment to retain said packing means in its retracted position.

13. In a well tool adapted to be lowered and operated in a well bore on a running-in string: first and second members adapted to be moved relatively to each other; one of said members being adapted to be connected to the running-in string to be manipulated thereby relatively to said other member; said first member having a circumferential groove bounded by upper and lower sides and a longitudinal groove communicating with said circumferential groove and opening through one of said sides; a lock element movable laterally on said second member and adapted to be disposed in said circumferential groove to limit the extent of relative longitudinal movement between said members and adapted to be disposed in said longitudinal groove so as not to limit the extent or" relative longitudinal movement between said members in one direction; yieldable means engaging said element to hold said element in said grooves; and said first member having cam means thereon to one side of said circumferential groove engageable with said element when said element is out of said circumferential groove to shift said element laterally of said first member and permit entry of said element into said circumferential groove without requiring said element to move through said longitudinal groove.

14. In a well tool adapted to be lowered and operated in a well bore on a running-in string: first and second members adapted to be moved relatively to each other; one of said members being adapted to be connected to the running-in string to be manipulated thereby relatively to said other member; said first member having a circumferential groove bounded by upper and lower sides and a longitudinal groove communicating with said circumferential groove and opening through one of said sides; said first member at one side of said groove having a beveled surface outside of said circumferential groove; a lock element movable laterally on said second member and adapted to be disposed in said circumferential groove to limit the extent of relative longitudinal movement between said members and adapted to be dis posed in said longitudinal groove so as not to limit the extent of relative longitudinal movement between said members in one direction; yieldable means engaging said element to hold said element in said grooves; said lock element being engageable with said beveled surface to be shifted laterally of said first member, upon relative longitudinal movement between said members, for movement into said circumferential groove.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS McLean Nov. 18, Reed Apr, 7, Armentrout Aug. 19, Le Rouax Apr. 7, Baker Feb. 3, Baker Mar. 24, Torres et a1. May 26, Brown July 7, Conrad June 13, Clark et a1. Nov. 14,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Mar. 14, 

1. IN WELL PACKER APPARATUS TO BE SET IN A WELL BORE: A BODY; LONGITUDINALLY SPACED FIRST AND SECOND ABUTMENTS SURROUNDING SAID BODY; A SUPPORT SLEEVE AROUND SAID BODY AND SECURED TO SAID FIRST ABUTMENT AND SLIDABLE ALONG SAID SECOND ABUTMENT; NORMALLY RETRACTED PACKING MEANS ON SAID SLEEVE BETWEEN SAID ABUTMENTS; MEANS ON SAID BODY ENGAGEABLE WITH ONE OF SAID ABUTMENTS FOR EFFECTING MOVEMENT OF SAID ABUTMENTS TOWARD EACH OTHER TO EXPAND SAID PACKING MEANS OUTWARDLY; AND MEANS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID SLEEVE AND BODY AND MOVABLE BY SAID BODY FOR SHIFTING SAID SLEEVE IN A DIRECTION TO MAINTAIN SAID FIRST ABUTMENT AWAY FROM SAID SECOND ABUTMENT TO RETAIN SAID PACKING MEANS IN ITS RETRACTED POSITION. 